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M261 NIKE Guided Missile Trailer Pics?

crazyplowboy

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Does anybody happen to have any pictures of an M261 NIKE Missile Trailer in use, or at least one that has been restored? How rare are they? And how much are they worth?
I found a trailer in a friend of the family's barn yard, the data plate says XM261. I haven't heard much about them in the forum, but I love it. The trailer could use some work, but he said I could have it if I wanted it and I can't pass it up.
Will post pics of the trailer later on.
 

crazyplowboy

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Simple stuff like brake lines, new wiring, ect... but there are some levere on the front and back of the trailer that are air control valves. I followed the air lines from the valves and they go to air cylinders on each corner of the trailer, I believe they might be for load leveling purposes.
Well anyway the control valves are rusted into an unrecognizable blob and the air cylinders are pretty rusted up. There are also some holes in the back of the trailor that would recieve some sort of 3" tubed structure, what I don't know.
Any idea on what the wood with leather padded v-notched holes in the back of the trailer are for?
 

Green_gator

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Found some info on www.nikemissle.org I found this picture of a trailer, it is not much of a picture but it is something. You have to grab this thing if only to make sure that a piece of history is saved. Does not look like a big trailer but I sure would not mind pulling one behind the deuce.
 

tamangel

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Nor Cal Coast
link inop, left out an 'i'

Nike Historical Society

found this info also:
M261 Trailer, flat-bed, NIKE guided missile, 4-dual wheels
M261A1 Trailer, flat-bed, NIKE guided missile, 4-dual wheels

M261 Rocket Launcher, NSN 1055-01-071-0064, LIN L45131.

M261 NIKE-Hercules Trailer flatbed missile

(U) In its report of qualification tests of the semimobile system, conducted in 1958-59, the Air Defense Board noted that extensive site preparation, to include provision of concrete launcher pads and section revetments, was required. A further difficulty experienced with the launcher was its requirement for special handling equipment (M62 wrecker) for emplacement. The Board found the M261 missile transport trailer to be unsatisfactory, chiefly because it could not carry a complete round, and transporting of missiles and boosters separately involved time-consuming joining and dejoining operations.

(U) Among the mobility improvements developed by DAC were a suitable launcher capable of self-emplacement on and firing from dirt, a ready round missile transporter to replace the M261 transporter, trailer mounting of all generators and section equipment, and several accessory items such as cable reel racks and dollies. By early 1960, development and demonstration of the ready round transporter, M94 launcher mobility kit, and other items of the mobility package had been completed, and ARGMA made arrangements for procurement of the new trailers through the Ordnance TankAutomotive Command. The Army Air Defense Board accepted the HERCULES mobility equipment during a meeting held at Fort Bliss on 17-18 May 1960. Field qualification tests of the Basic HERCULES system, modified to include the mobility package, began in June 1960 and continued through September. The Air Defense Board conducted the tests in cooperation with DAC and Ordnance personnel. in conjunction with this mobility evaluation, air transportability tests were made on certain equipment of the field army system in November 1960 at Biggs Air Force Base.63 The common and peculiar items required for the semimobile role of the Basic HERCULES system were classified Standard A in May 1962.

as mentioned above, pic isn't too good..
http://www.nikemissile.org/webphotos/fig47.tif
Mike

**************
Fifty-one years ago, Herman James, a North Carolinamountain man, was drafted by the Army.
On his first day in basic training, the Army issued him a comb.
That afternoon the Army barber sheared off all his hair.
On his second day, the Army issued Herman a toothbrush.
That afternoon the Army dentist yanked seven of his teeth.
On the third day, the Army issued him a jock strap.
The Army has been looking for Herman for 51 years.:-D
 

crazyplowboy

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Well, it's coming home tomorrow. I have thought about it and this trailer does not deserve to rot away behind someone's barn, this thing should be in a museum some where with all of the history behind it. It's gonna take alot of work, and I can't find anywhere that sells parts or has even heard of one of these. Should be a long and fun restoration project after I get the Deuce done.
 

WillWagner

The Person You Were Warned About As A Child
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Would that happen to be the one that belongs behind cranetruck's XM757?
 

cranetruck

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Would that happen to be the one that belongs behind cranetruck's XM757?
No Will, the xm757 was for the Pershing 1A system. The Erector-Launcher trailer was the M790, all destroyed except for one or two at museums....
 

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11Echo

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Well, it's coming home tomorrow. I have thought about it and this trailer does not deserve to rot away behind someone's barn, this thing should be in a museum some where with all of the history behind it. It's gonna take alot of work, and I can't find anywhere that sells parts or has even heard of one of these. Should be a long and fun restoration project after I get the Deuce done.



Any pics of the recovery?
 
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